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Winemaker's Notes:

Dow’s LBV is full-bodied, rich but perfectly balanced with soft peppery tannins and with a fine acidity that ensure perfect balance on the palate. The classic Dow’s dry finish is always present in the house’s LBV; it is one of the finest LBV Ports available.

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Currently six members of the Symington family are fully engaged in the management of Dow’s, they represent the 12th and 13th generations involved in the Port trade via their great grandmother Beatrice Atkinson and over 350 years since their ancestors played a significant role in laying the foundations of the Port trade. Together with the family’s other Port firms, Dow’s is the only surviving in... Read more

Currently six members of the Symington family are fully engaged in the management of Dow’s, they represent the 12th and 13th generations involved in the Port trade via their great grandmother Beatrice Atkinson and over 350 years since their ancestors played a significant role in laying the foundations of the Port trade. Together with the family’s other Port firms, Dow’s is the only surviving independent Port producer in the hands of just one family amongst all the great historic Port companies.
Following the great investments made in vineyards in the late 19th century, the company was one of the first to build a modern winery in the region in 1964, later to be adapted to become one of the first wineries with temperature control in all its fermentation tanks. In 1997, the company built a new winery at Quinta do Sol, widely acknowledged as one of the most innovative in Portugal. This was a major investment for the Symington family.
The company’s commitment to top quality vineyard ownership, winemaking and the finest Ports remains at the heart of this family business. Peter Symington and his son Charles, Dow’s principal wine makers, have between them been nominated ‘Fortified Wine Maker of the Year’ at the International Wine Challenge a record seven times. These awards are testament to Dow’s reputation as one of the finest premium Port producers. Read less

You get a glimpse of the fine qualities of the 1997 vintage in this bottling, which displays lush black cherry and plum aromas and flavors against a backdrop of supple tannins and a velvety texture. The elements are well integrated, and the finish is long and fruity.

While this is typical of the Dowrsquo;s style, with its dryness and structure, it also has great elegance. That dryness is balanced with the fine, ripe dark berry fruit flavors and by the fresh acidity that tops it off.

Shows good complexity for an LBV, with aromas of smoke, herb and black cherries. Tobacco, dark chocolate and tea notes emerge on the palate, which is drier than most LBVs and in keeping with the house style.

Dow’s LBV is full-bodied, rich but perfectly balanced with soft peppery tannins and with a fine acidity that ensure perfect balance on the palate. The classic Dow’s dry finish is always present in the house’s LBV; it is one of the finest LBV Ports available.